Jenson Button highlights ‘staggering’ Oscar Piastri trait that has seriously improved this season

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Oscar Piastri has impressed with how much he has got up to speed at McLaren this season, having taken his first two Formula 1 Grand Prix victories.

The McLaren driver took a while to start challenging Lando Norris in the races, with his first victory somewhat unconvincing in Hungary when they had to employ team orders.

But his victory in Azerbaijan showed just how much of a threat Piastri will be in the future, having pulled off an overtake that Karun Chandhok said had ‘tremendous confidence’ on Charles Leclerc for the lead.

Piastri went on to defend from Leclerc for the rest of the race, with the aid of a ‘Mini DRS’ wing that was later banned at the Singapore GP once the FIA was made aware of the design.

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Former driver and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button believes Piastri has shown a lot of development in the last year and has highlighted one ‘staggering’ trait when speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

Jenson Button ‘impressed’ by Oscar Piastri taking ‘challenge’ to Lando Norris

Although Norris has out-qualified Piastri by a 13-3 ratio in the last 16 races, the Australian has closed the gap in the races with just a 10-6 ratio that favours the Briton.

Button believes this is down to one aspect that Piastri has improved in the last 12 months: “His outright speed has always been there. But he’s pulling the weekends together a lot better.

“I think his one-lap pace has always been staggering and up there with Lando. His race pace was not as strong last year as Lando’s on average, but this year he’s definitely been more competitive.

“Very impressed with what Oscar has done, taking the challenge to Lando in the same car, and Lando is at the top of his game right now. So what a great team of drivers they have.”

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Piastri is still technically in contention for the Drivers’ Championship with him just 94 points off, although it would take a dramatic turn of events for him to win his first title.

His advantage over Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has caught the eye of some in the F1 paddock, including Helmut Marko who believes Piastri will be unwilling to settle as the number two driver.

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Piastri has already stated that he will be helping Norris, although stopped short of saying he would be willing to give up race wins.

Norris will need him as a backup to take points off Max Verstappen in the upcoming races, as he looks to close the 52-point gap in the title race with the Dutchman.